Razorbacks defensive tackle McTelvin Agim and running back Rakeem Boyd talked about needing to fix mistakes, then turn attention to SEC opener against Ole Miss on the road.
Defense carries Hogs to opening-day win over Vikings
Portland State added a late touchdown and had a drive to pull out a win at the end, but Arkansas’ defense came through for a 20-13 win in the opener at Razorback Stadium.
4Q-10:44: The offense got close, but stalled deep into Portland State territory before settling for a 25-yard field goal by Connor Limpert.
Hogs 20, Portland State 6
3Q-2:20: After nearly two full quarters of pretty ugly offense, the Hogs finally got moving behind Ben Hicks with running back Rakeem Boyd carrying the load late in a 67-yard, 12-play drive that ended on his 2-yard run. Limpert kicked the PAT for a two-score lead.
Hogs 17, Portland State 6
Arkansas struggles offensively as they squander a pair of opportunities in the second quarter and bog down moving the ball, but hold a 10-6 lead at halftime.
Nick Starkel replaced Ben Hicks at quarterback late in the period and promptly threw an interception to end one drive, then couldn’t get into the end zone on the final possession of the half.
2Q-14:07: Portland State ended the first period getting a fresh set of downs and ended up with a 47-yard field goal by Cody Williams to cut into the lead after an 11-play, 45-yard drive.
Hogs 10, Portland State 6
1Q-3:26: Arkansas’ defense stops Vikings without a first down, then move 64 yards in 10 plays with running back Devwah Whaley getting the first score of the season on a 1-yard run and Limpert’s extra point runs the lead to 10-3.
Hogs 10, Portland State 3
1Q-9:40: Hogs answer opening field goal with one from Connor Limpert, from 34 yards as Ben Hicks completes 3-of-5, including a 12-yarder to freshman Treylon Burks and an 8-yarder to Mike Woods.
Portland State 3, Hogs 3
1Q-13:09: Portland State gets on the board first with a 50-yard field goal by Cody Williams, taking the opening kickoff, getting a penalty and moving 42 yards in six plays, primarily on a 22-yard scramble by quarterback Davis Alexander.
Portland State 3, Hogs 0
It’s early in the first quarter as Arkansas has kicked off the 2019 season against Portland State at Razorback Stadium.
Razorbacks volleyball dominate in pair of wins on opening day
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas volleyball secured a pair of victories on Friday on the opening day of the Arkansas Classic.
The Razorbacks recorded straight set wins over Northwestern State earlier in the day before taking down Little Rock in front of a rocking crowd at Barnhill Arena.
The Razorbacks have one more match this weekend and will face Montana State on Saturday morning. After the Classic, Arkansas will hit the road to the west coast, headed to the SDSU/USD Challenge hosted by San Diego State.
Quick Hits
Stat Leaders vs Northwestern State
Kills: Liz Pamphile, Jillian Gillen – 9
Digs: Klaire Trainor – 11
Notables
Senior Rachel Rippee led all players with 18 assists.
The Razorbacks led for the entirety of the first and third sets.
Arkansas is now 4-0 all-time against Northwestern State.
Junior Liz Pamphile led the Razorback offense with nine kills to the tune of a .412 hitting percentage against the Demons.
Junior Hailey Dirrigl finished with a team high .625 hitting percentage through the first two sets after taking the bench due to an ankle injury.
Freshmen Jillian Gillen and Maggie Cartwright both earned a start against NSU, combining for 15 kills. Gillen also added six digs and three block assists to her collegiate debut.
In total, five Hogs saw the court for the first time since arriving at Arkansas, including junior transfer Devyn Wheeler who contributed three kills, and redshirt-freshman Maylin Garret to recorded six kills in 10 attempts.
Arkansas limited Northwestern State to an .084 hitting percentage, thanks in part to an overall team effort on the defensive front.
Junior Klaire Trainor led the Hogs with 11 digs, but three others recorded six or more digs in the win: Rachel Rippee (8), Jillian Gillen (6), and Gracie Ryan (6).
FINAL
Arkansas 3, Little Rock 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-12)
Attendance: 767 | Time: 1:21
Barnhill Arena
Quick Hits
Stat Leaders vs Little Rock
Kills: Jillian Gillen – 13
Digs: Savannah Downing, Maggie Cartwright – 10
Double-Doubles: Maggie Cartwright (10 kills, 10 digs)
Notables
Junior Devyn Wheeler recorded eight kills with a .727 hitting percentage.
Arkansas held Little Rock to a .022 hitting percentage over three sets.
Gillen stayed hot throughout day one of the Arkansas Classic, helping lift the Razorbacks to a sweep of in-state opponent Little Rock.
Gillen accounted for 35 of the Hogs’ 100 attacks in the victory, recording 13 kills behind a .286 hitting percentage.
Arkansas saw impressive performances from two other newcomers as well, as Cartwright played a balanced game and recorded the first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs.
Wheeler was the most efficient Hog of the day, and when combined with her .727 hitting percentage, the trio swung a striking .353 at the net.
Pamphile remained reliable on the defensive side of the ball, putting up five blocks for Arkansas. Gillen, Cartwright, and redshirt sophomore Maia Stripp also recorded multiple blocks in the win.
Arkansas controlled the pace of the entire match, never giving up the lead and keeping the Trojans at bay as to never even tie the score again after a 9-9 set score in the first.
The Razorbacks led by as many as 15 points in the final set, thanks to a kill by Gillen with an assist from freshman Abbigail McGee.
The Razorbacks will return to Barnhill on Saturday morning for an 11 a.m. match against Montana State (1-1).
Admission is free to all fans, parking is limited and fans are encouraged to park in Baum East down Razorback Road and take advantage of the shuttle service.
Shuttles will begin to transport fans from Baum East to Barnhill Arena starting at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.
Hicks is good enough to hold job … if supporting cast develops
When Chad Morris was hired in December 2017 to take over a moribund Arkansas program, he asked the fans to give him a chance and they wouldn’t regret it.
For most, he had that chance during a season that became a nightmare for just about anybody.
Now he’s got to show some significant improvement or he’s going to find himself putting out the flames of discontent all across the state.
To be fair, everything that symbolized what he had to deal with last season is reflected in the fact that he used three different players starting at quarterback … and none of them are on the team now.
One decided to focus on baseball, so he’ll have his name out there plenty in a few months. The other two can’t even start for the teams they transferred to that are far below the SEC level.
Others can mention their names, but it’s a cop-out to talk about those that aren’t here more than you talk about the ones that are.
Let’s face it, Ben Hicks, Nick Starkel, John Stephen Jones and K.J. Jefferson are ALL an upgrade. It doesn’t matter which one plays the most, it’s an upgrade.
Hicks will start the season behind center and there are a lot of people that have found just about every reason in the world to knock him.
His arm is very good. Ben doesn’t have a cannon like Starkel, but it’s more than adequate. Arm strength is seriously over-rated, in my opinion, at the college level. You can’t have a rag arm, but you don’t need to be firing rockets on every pass, especially the short and medium-range throws.
It’s far more important to have talented receivers who can make the catch, turn and run, preferably all of that as fast as possible.
They have that now in Mike Woods, Treylon Burks, Trey Knox, TQ Jackson and Shamar Nash. Don’t forget the tight ends. Even if C.J. O’Grady can’t go that many plays in the opener, Chase Harrell and Hudson Henry look the part along with Gunter Grayson, who has made some plays.
It’s also an insanely ridiculous argument to throw out Hicks’ record against Power 5 teams while he was starting at SMU. He wasn’t quarterbacking a Power 5 team so you can’t compare the Mustangs’ record against bigger, deeper, better teams.
No quarterback has won a game playing 1-on-11. Too often it’s a position that gets too much credit or too much blame.
Hicks will go as far as these young receivers develop and know what they’re doing. I don’t think last year’s bunch ever got on the same page with the quarterback and it really doesn’t matter who’s at fault if they’re not together.
Against Portland State, it probably won’t matter a whole lot either way.
Arkansas 72, Portland State 7
Peter Morgan and I are going to have another competition this year to see who can pick the most winners. Lines don’t matter, it only matters who wins and who loses.
Last year I finished 83-19 while Peter limped home with a 77-26 mark.
Easy Pickings
It’s tempting here to put every single SEC team up big win, but that kinda defeats the purpose.
Peter and I both picked Florida to down Miami and Texas A&M to handle Texas State. The first came close to being a disaster, but the second was never in doubt.
Kentucky will beat Toledo handily, Tennessee will pound Georgia State, LSU will cakewalk over Georgia Southern and Missouri will take Wyoming.
• Ole Miss at Memphis (-4)
Don’t be surprised the Rebels are getting four points playing the Tigers in the Liberty Bowl because, yes, there are maybe as many questions surrounding that time as the Razorbacks.
Ole Miss still have a 51.6% chance of winning, according to the ESPN Power Index, but the money is favoring Memphis, which is what creates the betting line in the first place.
New coordinators on both sides of the ball, a redshirt freshman quarterback and new faces all over the place is the reason for the questions concerning the Rebels.
And that’s not even taking into account the history in this series. The Tigers usually keep it down to the last possession.
But I’m not going against an SEC team against a non-Power 5 team … yet.
Ole Miss 42, Memphis 41
• Mississippi State (-19.5) at Louisiana
Why are the Bulldogs going on the road for this one?
That’s a bigger question than the outcome of the game because even with a new quarterback and a defense that may have to show ID to get on the bus, they should pull out a win.
But don’t be surprised if it’s a lot closer than anyone suspects. We don’t know yet which (or how many of the 10 players) that Mississippi State will hold out in this game in the NCAA punishment handed down last week.
In case you missed it, there are 10 players that have to sit out eight games on the academic thing … but MSU gets to pick which players in which games.
Does Joe Moorhead risk a slow start sitting very many?
Mississippi State 28, Louisiana 21
• Alabama (32.5) vs. Duke (in Atlanta)
Okay, this should probably be in the Easy Pickings part, but I just keep thinking with the Crimson Tide’s loss of the best defensive player and David Cutcliffe’s uncanny ability to over-achieve, it might be a little closer.
Make no mistake about it, Alabama’s going to win the game, but don’t be surprised if the score doesn’t cover the spread.
Alabama 35, Duke 14
• South Carolina (11) vs. North Carolina (in Charlotte)
The Fightin’ Muschamps will be the opponent as Mack Brown tries for a second act with the Tar Heels after being out of the game for a few years.
It’s a neutral site game and there likely won’t be a home-field advantage for either team. I’m not sure North Carolina ever gets that fired up over a football game, but South Carolina fans will go to a game in a parking lot.
South Carolina 38, North Carolina 24
• Georgia (22) at Vanderbilt
Some folks keep trying to convince me the Commodores are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC East this year, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
It’s still Vandy.
Last year likely was one of Vanderbilt’s usual good season every six or seven years. It’s simply a matter of talent and even Derek Mason isn’t going to be able to round up enough every year to consistently compete for a top-level spot in the league.
Especially with Florida and Tennessee on the upswing.
They may want to question how in the world this game got scheduled for an opener.
Georgia 35, Vanderbilt 10
• Oregon vs. Auburn (3.5) (in Arlington)
Yes, I’ve listened to doomsday predictions about the collapse of the Tigers being imminent, Gus Malzahn’s departure this year and all that.
Which is why I’m figuring Auburn will probably win the game, but it may not be a picture-perfect win.
Mostly, that’s because I’m not picking a Pac 12 team over an SEC team and I just refuse to pick any time that has a Duck for a mascot on general principle.
If that allows Peter to pick up a game, consider it my helping the lad along here early.
Auburn 28, Oregon 24
At rock bottom only directions to go are up … and sideways
Welcome to the new and improved Arkansas Football program.
Well, maybe not new, but it has no option but to be an improvement from last season. If not, may Razorbacks fans will be finding new hobbies for the upcoming fall and winter.
Rock bottom only has two directions: Up … and sideways.
If head coach Chad Morris knows anything it is honeymoons do not last forever. If he’s not aware he can certainly ask Houston Nutt, Bobby Petrino, and Jennifer Aniston.
Last year was a disgrace that still leaves Hogs fans on the receiving end of countless jokes and viable memes.
The closer you live to the zoo that is Oklahoma, the worse it has been. Even Vanderbilt fans sent condolence ‘Tweets’ as last season blundered to a merciful cease.
But I digress.
Morris now has his own QB1, his first set of signees, and his own special teams coach. So, what does this leave for the faithful to possess? Hope? Bowl aspirations? A four- or five-win season?
No one seems comfortable going on the record stating their final prediction for the 2019. The impression is everyone waits to bear testimony until after this Saturday’s game against Portland State.
The Vikings visit the enigma-laden Razorbacks at 2:30 PM on the SEC Network, and the Division I FCS team predicted to finish last in the Big Sky conference do not appear to pose much of a threat for starting Chad Morris’s sophomore campaign with a loss.
However, we can take nothing for granted. Remember Colorado State last season?
One might think Coach Chad was out-coached due to what said one could evaluate as and critique with “even the lowest of SEC players should be able to defeat an average (if one could define 2–6 as “average”) Mountain West Conference team”.
Let us propose Portland State coming to Fayetteville is exactly what this revamped Razorbacks team needs. Do so if you wish, yet make no mistake, nary a person with any knowledge of the game is using this season opener as a measuring stick for the Razorbacks.
That litmus test will begin in Week Two at Oxford, which, if blown out, will forecast an abundance of acid in the stomachs of Arkansas fans until the holiday season.
All that can be said with any certainty is things must turn around for this program, this university, and this state in all things football.
So here is to an early season call to rising up from the embarrassing obscurity that is the cellar of not only the SEC West but the conference as a whole.
If not, this entire fan base is going to get sideways.
Special note to Portland State players and people: You have our heartfelt condolences in the loss of Deante Strickland. Tragedies such as this make us reflect on what is truly important.
HitThatLine.com front-man Andy Hodges states he is ready to defend his HTL Pick’em Championship Cup this season. Let us see if I can make him regret not retiring.
• Miami at (8) Florida — Starting the season with a good duel – Gators by 10.
• Texas State at (12) Texas A&M — Aggies win their tune-up by 31.
• Toledo at Kentucky — Should the Wildcats have been ranked? No, but they beat the Rockets by 14.
• Ole Miss at Memphis — A great test early for Ole Miss … Rebels by 21.
• Mississippi State at Louisiana — Bulldogs are happy to dominate by 24.
• Duke at (2) Alabama — Alabama could schedule Homecoming this week. Tide by 38.
• South Carolina at North Carolina — A close 6-point win for the Gamecocks.
• Georgie State at Tennessee — Vols by a smooth 24.
• Portland State at Arkansas — HOGS beat the Vikings (and Vegas) by 34.
• (3) Georgia at Vanderbilt — The only SEC matchup in Week One – Bulldogs immediately in first place by 26.
• Georgia Southern at (6) LSU — The Bengal Tigers make easy work of the Eagles – LSU by 30.
• (11) Oregon at (16) Auburn (in Dallas) — ESPN’s favorite game of Week One. The SEC loses its first major non-conference game early … Ducks by 11.
• Missouri at Wyoming — Who can’t wait to watch CBS broadcast this Tigers’ win by 20?
Week One is here, folks. Go HOGS!!!
Find me on ‘Twitter’ @PeterMorganWPS
Arkansas needs lopsided win against FCS foe Portland State
Oddsmakers are putting a stake in the Hogs. Razorbacks fans are confident.
Even Portland State coach Bruce Barnum acknowledges a lopsided loss is eminent although that could be a little Lou Holtz reverse psychology to motivate his squad.
After a 2-10 season in 2018, it may be reckless to bet on the Hogs to beat any team by 28.5 points, even a mediocre FCS club. I’ve mentioned in this space before I wouldn’t predict six wins or a bowl berth until I am convinced serious progress has been made
After spring practice and fall camp, I am still not sure that the question marks remain won’t continue to hinder the progress.
The result against Portland State Saturday afternoon will go a long way in shaping my view of how things may turn out next week in the SEC opener at Ole Miss, which we have already determined is one of the key games to taking a step forward this season.
So, it’s paramount that Arkansas meets those expectations and delivers the kind of whipping that is expected from an SEC team playing a mediocre FBS opponent.
It’s important for a couple of main reasons.
First, ideally this game would be like an NFL preseason game where the staff gives a lot of players reps and see how guys battling for jobs perform in a game situation. Who will take this game and build against Ole Miss?
This applies to many positions but most importantly at quarterback. Ben Hicks is the starter, but I’m not sure that title is permanent. The job still could be up for grabs, and f Hicks doesn’t look good early, Starkel should be inserted in the game quickly to prevent a disaster.
Ideally, Hicks has some successful series, and then Starkel gets a chance to run the offense and hopefully continues the success and then eventually makes way for John Stephen Jones.
The coaches can evaluate all of the quarterbacks and see if Hicks should start at Oxford or maybe change it up. The best QB will be under center next Saturday, and the performances in the opener will determine that.
The other big key to this game is gaining confidence.
This team has been battered psychologically. A bad end to the Bret Bielema Era for those that were there for that , and one of the worst seasons in school history a year ago. They need to beat up on someone, know they can do it. Realize that all of the hard work they put in over the winter has paid off.
But, most importantly, the Hogs have to believe they can go into Oxford and win next week. If they win the first two games, that could lead to two more wins, and that establishes momentum. If Arkansas loses or struggles in the opener, I won’t feel as confident about next week.
Of course, Ole Miss has to play at regional rival Memphis Saturday, in which could be a very humbling outcome.
The Rebels may very possibly limp into the SEC opener.
If Ole Miss has to show more of its playbook against the Tigers, that could be a real advantage for UA if they coast past the Vikings and can play conservatively.
This is the biggest “cupcake” game Arkansas has played in a long time.
We will know a lot more about this team, its progress and how the season may go by Saturday evening.
Arkansas plays to 1-1 draw with Minnesota at Rebel Classic
OXFORD, Miss. — Arkansas played to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night against Minnesota at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium on the first night of the Rebel Classic.
How it happened
• After a quick 1-2 between Stefani Doyle and Taylor Malham, Anna Podojil turned her defender in the 21st-minute, sending a shot to the right upper corner for her first career goal.
• Minnesota would get the equalizer after a high ball dropped inside the box before Golden Gopher Sadie Harper would put in the back of the net for Minnesota.
The run of play
The Razorbacks turned up the pressure early in the first stanza.
Just 35 seconds in, Doyle connected with Malham, who sent a shot just over the cross bar. Arkansas recorded four shots and two corners, including a Tori Cannata header that went off the cross bar, in just the opening seven minutes.
The Razorbacks finally took the lead in the 21st minute from the boot of Podojil. The Golden Gophers didn’t get off their first shot until the 36th-minute, which was saved by the right post.
Arkansas went into half with the one-goal advantage, leading the Gophers in the shots category, 6-2.
Coming out of the locker room, Minnesota would get their equalizer in the 55th-minute off the foot of Harper.
Looking for another goal, Malham split a pair of defenders to lead Doyle to space, but Gopher ‘keeper Maddie Nielsen made a diving stop to deflect Doyle’s first touch in the 79th-minute, as the teams headed into extra time.
Malham had another excellent opportunity as she got a shot off going across the face of goal that Nielsen could only deflect out of bounds for the Razorback corner.
However, Arkansas couldn’t get anything off Parker Goins’ corner kick. Razorback ‘keeper Katie Lund came up big when she was 1-on-1 with Haley Hartkmeyer, making a save and then securing the loose ball in the 97thminute.
The two teams remained scoreless in the final 10 minutes of extra time as Arkansas and Minnesota settled for a 1-1 tie.
???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Halftime Homework
Phil & Tye hit on if Trey Knox will play Saturday, Halftime Homework, plus some Arkansas basketball notes!
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday
John & Tommy discuss how important starting hot is this season, Richard Davenport joins the show, and more!
Memory of last season keeps Morris, Hogs, from looking ahead
On a day when Trey Knox made it back to practice to at least put the pads on, Chad Morris appeared confident … but he wasn’t getting close to being TOO certain about Saturday’s opener.
“Not with the season we came off of last year,” he said before Wednesday’s practice. “You don’t look ahead to anybody.”
Yeah, 2-10 will tend to do that, especially considering two of those losses were to Colorado State and North Texas. With Portland State for the opener, it’s a question that had to be asked.
“It’s not WHO we play, but HOW we play,” he said. “As I told them today in our team meeting, I’m far more concerned about their preparation and they continue to prepare each and every day regardless of who we play and the magnitude of the game we play on Saturday.”
Knox caught everyone by surprise coming onto the practice field during the second period of work … maybe even Morris. He jogged onto the field yelling “turn me up!” as he went the length of the field to join the receivers.
“Trey is not in today,” he said before practice. “He won’t practice today. We keep being told it’s coming, so we anticipate him being out there tomorrow.”
Now before getting too excited, during the brief time we were at practice Knox didn’t do a whole lot more than we did other than put on shoulder pads and a helmet.
“I think Trey will play if he’s able to go tomorrow and go through what we call our focus fast Friday,” Morris said. “I don’t know the exact number of reps he’s going to get, but I anticipate him being out there.”
Wide receiver Treylon Burks will be returning punts Saturday and apparently it’s the first time Morris has had a freshman doing that, but he’s that high on the Warren player.
“A true freshman at punt return? You know, I’d have to go back and look at that,” Morris said. “I don’t recall that I have. That’s a trust position, and this young man’s got an opportunity to be really special.
“He’s earned that (starting spot), and we’ve got the utmost trust in Treylon. I think he’s earned that during camp. He’s a fantastic individual, and ya’ll see him as a football player, but we see him as both, and he’s a better person than he is a football player.
“That’s a credit to his family and credit to his coach and program. I have no problem putting him back there … as long as he can catch it.”
That last part is probably something Burks has heard since Saturday’s “Beanie Bowl” when he appeared to be a little nonchalant on a return and he whiffed the catch, but grabbed it one hop and made that appear almost completely normal.
Burks also was working with the kick return unit in a two-man set with De’Vion Warren, which could be a pretty pair, maybe the best the Razorbacks could put back there in over a decade.
The hay’s not in the barn for this opener, but the truck is lined up for the barn door.
Morris made it clear he’s not looking ahead.
It’s a good bet he’s not letting the players do it, either.
